As many of you know, I’ve been photographing and blogging about mothers and their children. Right now, I am focusing on Mothers whose children have special needs. I have truly been inspired in different ways by each of these mothers. This month, Susan and her four teens are in the blog.
Can you imagine being the mother of 4 High Schoolers? Susan’s oldest daughter, Kristen, is developmentally delayed and physically challenged. She also has a contagious smile, a love of horses, and a vibrant spirit. It was my pleasure to photograph Susan and Kristen as well as their entire beautiful family. Each and every mother that I photograph for this project inspires me. You give me energy and fill my soul. On that note, I want to mention Susan’s work as Vice President of an amazing organization called SMILE Mass. SMILE Mass has a mission to create day trip or a vacation opportunity without barriers. This foundation seeks to enable individuals and families with a disabled member to enjoy a getaway similar to those who have no special needs. Please visit their Web site to learn more: SMILE Mass
And enjoy these images and Susan’s story.
I am a mom to 4 teenagers.  My “claim to fame” is that I had 4 children in less than 3 years, as I never expected my third pregnancy to be twins! Although those early years were somewhat of a blur, they were fabulous and I wouldn’t change a thing.

When my second child, my oldest daughter, Kristen, was 3 ½, she needed brain surgery to stop her seizures.  Although the brain surgery stopped her seizures, it left her developmentally delayed and physically challenged. But, she is now happy and healthy and amazes me each and every day, as do my other 3 children – Justin, Caitlyn and Shannon, each in their own way.

My life is not so different that anyone with a couple of kids.  It is a balancing act – each child has schoolwork and their own activities so I am pulled in many directions, hopefully not too many at the same time.  The only difference is that some of those directions are to physical therapy appointments and the fact that Kristen was in an out-of-district school for many years, sometimes giving me 3 different school calendars to keep track of.  Although, this year, for the first time in 8 years, all my kids are in the same school, if only for 1 year.  I’m thankful for the little things that make life easier.

I’m sure anyone with teenagers knows, these years are crazy and wonderful and I’m going to be both extremely proud and a little sad when my oldest leaves home next year to go to college.  Their childhood goes by so quickly; I’m just trying to cherish each and every moment.